In a heartbreaking incident, rescuers in Indonesia are engaged in a desperate search for 38 individuals missing after a ferry tragically sank while en route to the renowned resort island of Bali. This maritime disaster, which occurred late Wednesday night, has resulted in at least four confirmed fatalities.
The ferry, KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed its port on Java, Indonesia's principal island, shortly before 11 p.m., transporting 53 passengers along with 12 crew members. The usually swift journey to Bali was cut short when the crew issued a distress signal just 20 minutes after takeoff, shortly followed by the vessel's sinking at approximately 11:35 p.m. local time.
As of Thursday morning, search and rescue teams had successfully retrieved four bodies from the water. Meanwhile, 23 survivors were rescued overnight as local fishermen and a rescue fleet of over ten boats faced waves exceeding six feet in height while they searched for the remaining missing passengers. Families anxiously gathered at Bunguwangi port in East Java, seeking updates on their loved ones.
Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, has a notorious history of ferry incidents. This recent tragedy marks the second passenger ferry sinking off Bali in just one month, with a previous incident in June leading to the safe rescue of all 89 passengers aboard another vessel.
Notably, the island of Bali remains a highly popular destination, attracting over six million international visitors last year alone. As this story continues to develop, officials and rescue workers remain committed to finding those still missing amidst the challenging sea conditions.
The ferry, KMT Tunu Pratama Jaya, departed its port on Java, Indonesia's principal island, shortly before 11 p.m., transporting 53 passengers along with 12 crew members. The usually swift journey to Bali was cut short when the crew issued a distress signal just 20 minutes after takeoff, shortly followed by the vessel's sinking at approximately 11:35 p.m. local time.
As of Thursday morning, search and rescue teams had successfully retrieved four bodies from the water. Meanwhile, 23 survivors were rescued overnight as local fishermen and a rescue fleet of over ten boats faced waves exceeding six feet in height while they searched for the remaining missing passengers. Families anxiously gathered at Bunguwangi port in East Java, seeking updates on their loved ones.
Indonesia, an archipelago comprising over 17,000 islands, has a notorious history of ferry incidents. This recent tragedy marks the second passenger ferry sinking off Bali in just one month, with a previous incident in June leading to the safe rescue of all 89 passengers aboard another vessel.
Notably, the island of Bali remains a highly popular destination, attracting over six million international visitors last year alone. As this story continues to develop, officials and rescue workers remain committed to finding those still missing amidst the challenging sea conditions.
